Federal Grants by City: Which Cities Get the Most Federal Money?
Published April 6, 2026 · USASpending.gov data
Billions of federal tax dollars flow to city governments every year through grants, cooperative agreements, and direct payments. But the distribution is far from equal — some cities receive thousands of dollars per resident while others get almost nothing. This analysis ranks 800+ cities by federal grant funding using USASpending.gov data.
Top 25 Cities by Federal Grants Per Capita
Cities receiving the most federal money per resident tend to be either major recipients of HUD housing grants, DOT infrastructure funding, or cities that administer large health and social service programs funded by HHS. Cities recovering from disasters also appear prominently.
Largest Total Federal Grant Recipients
In raw dollar terms, the biggest cities naturally receive the most — but not always proportionally. Some mid-sized cities punch above their weight when measured per capita.
Top Federal Agencies Funding Cities
The federal agencies that distribute the most money to city governments include:
- HUD (Housing and Urban Development): Community Development Block Grants, Section 8 vouchers, HOME investment partnerships, and homeless assistance.
- DOT (Department of Transportation): Federal-aid highway funds, transit capital and operating grants, and safety improvement programs.
- HHS (Health and Human Services): Community health centers, Head Start, substance abuse treatment, and emergency preparedness grants.
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Clean water and drinking water state revolving funds, brownfield cleanup, and air quality improvement grants.
- DOJ (Department of Justice): COPS hiring grants, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, and violence prevention programs.
- FEMA: Disaster relief, hazard mitigation, and emergency management performance grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city receives the most federal grant money?
The largest cities — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston — receive the most total federal grant dollars due to their population size and the scale of their federally-funded programs.
What are federal grants used for in cities?
Federal grants to cities fund a wide range of programs: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for housing and neighborhood improvement, highway and transit construction, public health programs, law enforcement (COPS grants), environmental cleanup, homeless services, and disaster recovery.
How much federal money does the average city receive?
The median U.S. city (50,000+ population) receives approximately $200–$500 per resident in federal grants annually. But the range is enormous — some cities receive over $2,000 per resident while others receive under $50.
Are federal grants to cities declining?
Federal grants to local governments have fluctuated significantly. They spiked during the pandemic (ARPA/CARES Act) and have since declined as emergency funding programs sunset. Ongoing formula grants (CDBG, highway funds) continue but face regular congressional scrutiny.
About This Data
Federal grant data is from USASpending.gov, the official source for federal spending information. Grant amounts reflect obligations to city governments as direct recipients. Data may include multi-year awards. See our methodology.